Reflector signal



H. W. CGNDE ET AL REFLECTOR SIGNAL iled Dem 18 Nov. 3, 1925.

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY WARD CONDE AND DANA M. PALMER, OF OTTAWA, ILLINOIS.

BEFLECTOR SIGNAL.

Application ated December 18, 1924. Serial No. 756,786.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that We, HARRY NVARD CoNns and DANA M. PALMER, citizens of the United States, residing at Ottawa, in the. county of LaSalle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reflector Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a reflector signal, and particularly to a construction embodying an unliglited reflecting surface adapted to be attached to a vehicle by means of a supporting frame.

Many accidents occur upon the high ways by the operation of vehicles without proper Warning lights, and this is often due to oversi lit by the driver or the disabling of a amp without his knowledge. In such event the use of this signal device causes the light from an approaching inachine to be automatically reflected without glare, so that a Warning is immediately -given of the presence of the unlighted machine. This is of especial importance when an automobile isvstalled or disabled, so that its lights are inoperative; particularly if the tail li ht becomes disabled its function will be fully performed by the reflector if disosed in a position adjacent thereto.

In the production of such a reflector it is important to provide for the protection of the reflecting surface which is ordinarily supported in an exposed position and liable to be damaged under conditions of use. 'I` he breaking of the reflecting surface or lens incurs considerable expense for replacement and it is therefore desirable to protect this surface by an outer covering plate of much cheaper character which can be readily remp placed whenever necessary or desirable either for changing the color to be reflected from a mirror or for preventing contact with the surface thereof, either by obstacles upon the road or the atmospheric conditions which would affect the same. Such a signal is preferably of an unobtrusive character adapted to be readily attached to the desired part of the vehicle and should eiiihody-Y both simplicity and economy in construction so that it may be ordinarily carried upon the machine in addition to the usual signal lights in order to supplement or protect t against failure of the same.

The invention has for an obje/zt to provide a novel and improved construction of re` fleeting signal comprising a framey in which a reflecting plate is supported in intimate contact with a protecting face late, these ineinliicrs being enclosed by a holder adapted to be supported from the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the supporting frame for the reflecting members comprising flanged edges and an extended upper portion which cooperates with a holder entering between the flanges and contacting with the upper surfaces of the re.- fleting plates in order to retain them against movement within the frame mem.- bers under thc vibratory conditions of road service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for the reflecting plates adapted to be foi-ined from a single blank bent to produce supporting edges for the plates and to cooperate with a supporting blank adapted for attachinnct to the frame.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective showing one application of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation thereof with parts in section;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail of the frame blank; and

Figure 5 blank.

Like reference numerals refer to like arts throughout the several figures of the raws a similar view of the supporter The signal device may be of an desired configuration or ornamentation an the size and material thereof likewise altered as found most convenient or desirable. In the form of the invention herein disclosed the frame is formed from a blank of sheetmetal l() having at opposite sides flange portions 11 which are angularly bent to provide the retaining flanges for the reflecting members, and one end of this blank is similarly formed with a flange to provide the supporting flange 12 for said members. The reflecting members comprise a reflector plate 18 which may be of any desired character and is here shown as formed of glass with a silvered back 14 to constitute the usual type of mirror. This plate rests upon the base flange miwwsnwwsmim ...man s 12 and fits closely about the side fianges 11 so as to be held against movement therein.

In order to protect this mirror or reflector 13 an outer plate 15 is similarly dis osed Within the flanges. This plate may e of clear glass or other material of any desired character and effectually prevents injury to the more expensive mirror member While likewise ermitting a change in the color of the re ection by re lacing a glass of one color by that of anot er. For instance, if the mirror is desired for use at the rear u ruby red glass would be used to cover the same,vwhile in the use of a side light awgreerr glass would be used. These plates are disosed in direct close contact with each other or their entire area so as to effectually prevent the entrance of' moisture or dirt between them and this is further facilitated by the holding flange 16 carried by the supporting plate 17 and adapted to enter the flanges 11 of tlie holder and rest in direct contact with the upper sur aces of the plates. For this purpose -the holding flange 16 is provided with a flat surface 18 which by its pressure upon ,the plates prevents any movement thereoflin the vibration of the machine.

The supporting plate is adapted to be attached to the frame by means of the extended upper portion 19 thereof which is provided with an aperture 20 to receive a rivet or other fastening means 2l extending truough the apertures 22 of the supporting plate 17. This forms a means 'for attachment b a single device while the insertion of the olding flange Within the side flanges of the frame prevents any oscillatory movement of the parts upon each other.

This supporting plate is preferably formed from. a single blank of H-shaped configuration as shown in Figure 5, which folded upon itself to rovidc the flat face 18 resting upon the re ecting plates while the edges 23 thereof are, free and adapted to embrace the surface from which the reflector is to be supported. For this purpose they are further provided with apertures 24. adapted to receive attaching devices as shown in Figure 2.

While the reflector is adapted for application to any desired part of' the vehicle and also in other stationary positions, still it is here shown as applied to the tire carrier 26 supported in the usual manner upon a vehicle and is bolted to the license tag 27 through thc usual slots therein so that light thrown upon the reflector will also illuminate the tag.r rendering thc numbers visible. ln this association it also serves a safeguard against tho failure of the tail light 28 which is mounted to cooperate with said tag in the usual manner.

The invention is adapted for the production of a vehicle reflector signal in which the reflecting plates have a solid supportalignment with the reflector and a convenient means same in r1g1 the vehlcle.

(provided for supporting the p'osition upon a portion of The use of a protecting plate in directl contact with the outer face of the mirror forms not only a protecting medium but also a convenient means by which the color or characteristics of the signal may be changed at will by a replacement of this outer plate, While the device as a whole being adapted for production by a stamping method is capa le of economical manufacture and embodies the necessary strength and stability to provide for efficient operation.

While the details of construction have been specifically shown and described as well as the manner of mounting the signal, still changes and alterations may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A signal comprising a frame having an open side, .a refiecting plate supported within the frame, a protecting face plate in direct contact with the reflection plate, and means disposed at said open side to engage and retain both plates in position.

2. A signal comprising a frame having an open side, a reflecting plate supported Within the frame, a protecting face plate in direct Contact with the reflecting plate, and a holder carried by the frame at its open side adapted to retain said )lates Within the frame and provide means flor its support.

3. A signal comprising a frame having an open side, a reflecting plate supported thereby, and a supporting plate secured to the frame and having holding means vadapted to enter the open side of said frame and bear upon the reflecting plate.

4. A signal comprising a flanged frame open at the top and having a laterally cX- tendcd upper portion, a reflecting plate retained by the flanges of the frame, and a supporter secured to said extended portion and adapted to enfer the traine between the fllnges to cover and protect the top of said p ate.

5. A signal cou'lprising a flanged frame having an extended upper portion, a reflecting,r plate retained by the flanges of' the frame, a supporter secured to said extended portion and adapted to enter the frame beytween the flanges to cover and protect the portion provided with a flat face to enter top of said plate, nnd means for conneetthe side flanges of the frame and contact ing said frame and supporter disposed at with the top edges of the plates therein. 26 a point removed from the free edge of the 8. A signal comprisin a frame having 5 latter. flanges about its base an side edges ysind an 6. A signal comprisin e. frame having extended rear Well at the upper portion flanges about its base an side edges and an thereof, a reflecting plate dis sed within extended rear' wall at the upper portion said frame in Contact with t e rear Wall 80 thereof, e reflecting plate dis sed within thereof, a` protecting plate in direct Contact 10 said frame in Contact with tie rear wall with the reflecting plate and dis osed withthereof, and a protecting plate in direct conin said frame, a supporting p ate having tact with the reflecting plate. niid disposed parallel free edges and an intermediate por within said frame. tion provided with a flat face to enter the $6 7. A signal comprising n traine having side flanges of the frame and Contact with 15 flanges about'its base and side edges and en the top edges of the plates therein, and extended rear Wall at the upper portion ineens provided upon said supporting plate thereof, a reflecting plate. disposed within for the attachment thereof. said irame in contact with the rear lwall In testimony whereof we alix our sigillin 40 thereof, a proteting plate in direct Contact tures.

l0 with the reflecting plate and disposed withi in said frame, and a supporting plate liav- HARRY WARD COKNDE. ing parallel free edges and an intermediate y DANA M. PALMER. 

